Furniture mkt on
Furniture Market Review Q4'22-23: Covid crushed the corporate furniture market. Leading makers still report -30% demand declines compared with the 2019 norm. During Covid, WFH suppliers like Amazon, Wayfair, DWR (MillerKnoll) exploded with record revenues, now normalizing. We review leaders disappointing results and the new hybrid work developments accelerating the wellness & ergonomics movement e.g. Fellowes. Updated for Steelcase/MillerKnoll
Old OP Emperors
There's been much recession talk recently: macro economic headwinds, high inflation, depressing optimism. How much is real given the huge prices boost on lower volumes? Whilst ex-leaders eg. Acco, HP, Newell, 3M & VOW decline despite complacent commentary, progressive players reinvented to meet the 'personalized productivity service' needs of users. We highlight losers and the big winners..Complete
Bouncebackability
Reports are all in for Business Supply players in Q4'22. Predictably they show inflated profits but weak sales recovery v pre-Covid 'norm' Q4'19. Proficiency Index reports the Leaderboard of makers, wholesalers & dealers' 'Bouncebackability' performance. It covers 100 leading paper & printer makers, hygiene, foodservice and packaging suppliers, OP/furnituremakers and retailers Updated
Healthy Hygiene
Hygiene is now #1 business supply category alongside technology. Progressive business suppliers: brandmakers, dealers have pivoted into hygiene, safety, foodservice & packaging, WFH-tech & wellness services. Proficiency Index Q4'22 analysis is almost complete with brand volumes slowing, boosted by double-digit price hikes. Updated for KPTissue, Sappi & Suzano. Diversey delayed to 22Mar
Top 50 Women
Marketing to businesses by brandmakers & resellers was traditionally dominated by men. As we celebrate International Women's Day, Proficiency Index recognises the most successful women leaders. This is 16th edition of 'Top 50 Women in Business Supply', the market's real growth achievers, including new entrants from progressive independent dealers.
Apple champions
There's been much political press talk about a growing 'cold war' with China. US is #1 trading partner with China, in both exports and imports. Apple's ceo Tim Cook visited Beijing at the weekend and spoke enthusiastically at the Development Forum about the growing symbiotic relationship with the hosts.
Most tech leaders
Despite economic uncertainty, 72% of high tech leaders in the U.S., Canada and Western Europe have plans to grow revenue in 2023, according a survey by Gartner. Furthermore, nearly half of those leaders believe they will be able to outperform their competition this year. Optimism over reach?
B2B buyer journey
B2B marketing is intellectually stretching and probably dying! This is not helped by legacy thinking holding many B2B marketers back. Prime example: the concept of a “funnel” – assuming a central buyer, is redundant. Business supply buying has shifted to hybrid working 'user chooser' WFH/WFA executives
Dealers: how to
Today, most successful businesses use top technology. Emerging tech provides key insights, automation and efficiency ranging from performance measures (KPI's), operational costs (CTS) and marketing (CRM). As IT develops, many solutions are more personalized for small and midsize businesses (SMBs).
3M deaf to flawed
3M CFO confirmed at the Bank of America conference yesterday that 2023 earnings guidance excluded probable $10Bn+ legal costs relating to defective military earplugs and PFAS contaminations. 3M's market cap is down -32% over past year. Meanwhile, it's spinning off the Health Care (25% mix) division and struggling with volume declines in its main businesses. Analysis here...
Essendant fights
Essendant the US #1 business supply wholesaler, on Wed issued an update on its disaster recovery progress from the horrible hack of its operating systems causing 10 days of supply disruption for the dealer community. We spoke with president Harry Dochelli about the heroic fightback and dealers positive reaction. Updated
Hollowing Offices:
The stalled recovery of the office market in the aftermath of Covid has created a deep divide between employers and employees expectations on future hybrid work needs. 'O f f i c e l e s s' trends are increasing rapidly with realtors challenged by a declining market and changing space configurations eg. new cafes to attract workers. How do the top firms CBRE, JLL, C&W view 2023/24? We investigate and comment...Updated
Furniture mkt on
Furniture Market Review Q4'22-23: Covid crushed the corporate furniture market. Leading makers still report -30% demand declines compared with the 2019 norm. During Covid, WFH suppliers like Amazon, Wayfair, DWR (MillerKnoll) exploded with record revenues, now normalizing. We review leaders disappointing results and the new hybrid work developments accelerating the wellness & ergonomics movement e.g. Fellowes. Updated for Steelcase/MillerKnoll
D2C brands 'dual'
Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) webstores thrived during Covid when customers couldn’t visit retailers, looking online instead for purchases. Some brands who historically counted on wholesale partners,leaned more heavily toward D2C channels. So what's happening now with D2C retail v wholesale?
SCC scales up
SCC the leading European IT reseller confirmed the first major UK acquisition since it announced a £300m technology investment programme to underpin its continued growth in a multi-year strategy aimed at consolidating the company’s position as Europe's #1 private tech services provider
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